Cubs 2023 Season
- Status
I don’t know if they’ve pulled out of their nosedive, but they’re 6-6 over the last 12 games owing almost entirely to excellent starting pitching. 19 ER in 71 IP (2.41 ERA) over than time.
When the starting pitching isn't consistently elite, this team struggles mightily
Might seem insignificant but the Cubs are 1-6 in the final game of a 3 game series when they have won the first 2. There is a BIG difference between sweeping and just going 2-1.
All in all, they are 5-15 on getaway days.
All in all, they are 5-15 on getaway days.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
41 games to the trade deadline. 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.
The Cubs don’t have to go crazy to avoid being sellers again, but they do have to start winning now. If they can play about .600 ball for the next 6 weeks, they should be within shouting distance of a playoff spot.
I don’t actually think they can do it. Their starting pitching is good enough to pull off an extended run of wins, but the offense and bullpen need to find some consistency to make it possible.
They haven’t won three games in a row since sweeping Oakland back in April. That was also the last time they won 2 series in a row.
The Cubs don’t have to go crazy to avoid being sellers again, but they do have to start winning now. If they can play about .600 ball for the next 6 weeks, they should be within shouting distance of a playoff spot.
I don’t actually think they can do it. Their starting pitching is good enough to pull off an extended run of wins, but the offense and bullpen need to find some consistency to make it possible.
They haven’t won three games in a row since sweeping Oakland back in April. That was also the last time they won 2 series in a row.
They need to sell again and continue to build the farm system in my opinion. They aren't competing for a title in the next several years so I would love to see them trade some pieces that will bring back a player or 2 that would be ready soon. Or, just stink like they did back in the early 2010's. That led to the team that won it all and was fun to watch for about 5 years.
I tend to agree. Even if they were to go on a run and challenge for the division, I don't think anyone would expect us to last long in the playoffs. i think Jed did a decent job of cobbling together a roster of players that, if everything fell right, could challenge for the division.
In April it looked like things might fall right. Then May came, and with it came regression and injuries.
We have some really interesting pieces that will be in high demand and will put us in the driver's seat in negotiating a return. Stroman is a clear upgrade to any rotation. He has pitched like a true #1 all season. Bellinger has a diverse skill set that could put someone over the top. As much as I hate to throw Hendricks in the mix, he is a guy who is rounding back into form, has a potentially expiring (club option) contract, and has a postseason ERA of 3.12.
Jed could potentially fortify the farm for the next half decade if he plays his cards right.
Do we want to get good next year, or do we want to get great in two? We are currently something less than good. I hope they shoot for great.
Jed's main mistake was thinking he could pull a rabbit out of his hat for the 3rd straight year regarding the bullpen. No one foresaw the miserable performances of Fulmer, Boxberger and Thompson but the bullpen was terribly constructed. How you go into the season with no lefties (only 1 on the IL) is amazing. The last 2 years he was able to flip his one year signings for decent assets but he has nothing to flip this year and nothing ready to help in the minors.
That's what worries me the most about the whole situation. If we had a decent bullpen, we might be good enough to challenge for the division this year. I really don't want to see them decide to go for it and trade for bullpen help, rather than continuing the process of rebuilding the entire system into one capable of sustaining a championship level roster for an extended period of time.
We could go all in and get decent for now. I'd rather we cash out and keep building long-term for great.
[ W ] #29
And once again Miles Mastrobuoni is collecting service time toward his MLB pension.
The good news is that when he's up here Ross can just rest easy and pencil him into the DH slot (as he did last night).
The good news is that when he's up here Ross can just rest easy and pencil him into the DH slot (as he did last night).
The sequence last night where he popped up a bunt and then ran into Madrigal’s ground ball was emblematic of his whole year.
Mastrobuoni is 27. So it’s easy to forget he’s a rookie. Not much left for him to prove at AAA. He’s hit .294/.386/.446 there in 847 PAs over 4 seasons.
Like Mervis, an old rookie who has consistently hit AAA pitching. Probably have to let him sink or swim at this point.
Like Mervis, an old rookie who has consistently hit AAA pitching. Probably have to let him sink or swim at this point.
With Bellinger out, Ross is struggling to get any left-handed pop in this lineup at all
So, it’s fun to remember how Hoyer released Schwarber for nothing despite having another year of team control. Schwarber has more home runs over the last two seasons that all the Cubs left handers and switch hitters combined.
So, it’s fun to remember how Hoyer released Schwarber for nothing despite having another year of team control. Schwarber has more home runs over the last two seasons that all the Cubs left handers and switch hitters combined.
The frustrating thing is that are other guys who are hitting the hell out of the ball at Iowa.
Merryweather gave up 5 earned runs in 2/3rds of an inning in his first appearance, which featured two infield singles and two more soft hits to the outfield. To be fair, he also walked two guys and threw a wild pitch.
Since then he’s given up 6 in 27.2 (1.95 ERA) with 39 strike outs.
Since then he’s given up 6 in 27.2 (1.95 ERA) with 39 strike outs.
Probably a trade deadline move. On the other hand, he is 1of 3 guys in the pen who aren't absolute garbage this year
Cubs have him for 3 more years. Next year is just his first year of arbitration. So unless they manage another Effross for Wesneski type trade, I imagine he’ll be sticking around.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Just 4.5 games back and a chance to get one game closer on Thursday.........!!!!!!!! What a division.
(And with Contreras, Bryant, Schwarber and Baez --- we'd likely be 6 or 7 games behind the Cardinals right now.)
(And with Contreras, Bryant, Schwarber and Baez --- we'd likely be 6 or 7 games behind the Cardinals right now.)
Let's reverse this today.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Stroman is pitching. So - hopefully he'll at least keep them in the game.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Vegas betting odds (today) for winning the NL Central (averaged across several odds makers):
MIL - 100
PIT + 450
STL + 500
CIN + 750
CHI + 800 (as high as +1000)
Speculating that MIL is probably the best bet, but I tend to like the Reds right now, provided they make a couple of strong deals at the deadline.
MIL - 100
PIT + 450
STL + 500
CIN + 750
CHI + 800 (as high as +1000)
Speculating that MIL is probably the best bet, but I tend to like the Reds right now, provided they make a couple of strong deals at the deadline.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
The Reds can hit, but their starting pitching is iffy at best. And they just lost Lodolo for at least 2 months.
- Status